When choosing trees, consider the growth rate and habit along with the overall form and texture of leaves and bark.
Properly selected and located trees can enhance the landscape setting and generally improve property values. Once growing, care should be excercised when working or playing around trees. Often, shade tree damage in the form of soil compaction, root damage, improper pruning, chemical and mechanical injury can cause irreversible harm to a tree. Remember, the tree's roots are found in the upper 12-15 inches of soil and can grow 40-50 percent beyond the drip line of a tree.
BOTANICAL NAME: Acer floridanum
COMMON NAME: FLORIDA MAPLE
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: D
GROWTH RATE: med-fast
EXPOSURE: sun
TEXTURE: medium
FORM: oval
HEIGHT: 40-50'
SPREAD: 20-25'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: excellent shade tree and beautiful fall color
BOTANICAL NAME: Acer platanoides
COMMON NAME: NORWAY MAPLE
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: D
GROWTH RATE: moderate
EXPOSURE: sun
TEXTURE: coarse
FORM: dense-broad spreading branches
HEIGHT: 60-80'
SPREAD: 50-70'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: "Crimson King" red-purple foliage
BOTANICAL NAME: Acer rubrum
COMMON NAME: RED MAPLE
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: D
GROWTH RATE: rapid
EXPOSURE: sun/shade
TEXTURE: medium
FORM: symmetrical spreading branches
HEIGHT: 40-50'
SPREAD: 25-35'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: beautiful habit and color "October Glory" -
scarlet foliage in fall
BOTANICAL NAME: Acer saccharinum
COMMON NAME: SILVER MAPLE
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: D
GROWTH RATE: rapid
EXPOSURE: sun
TEXTURE: medium
FORM: upright open branches
HEIGHT: 60-80'
SPREAD: 50-75'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: fast growing shade tree but noted for weak
branches and shallow roots
BOTANICAL NAME: Acer saccharum
COMMON NAME: SUGAR MAPLE
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7
GROUP: D
GROWTH RATE: slow
EXPOSURE: sun or part shade
TEXTURE: medium-coarse
FORM: round top
HEIGHT: 50-75
SPREAD: 30-40
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: excellent landscape tree casts very dense
shade
BOTANICAL NAME: Carya illinoensis
COMMON NAME: PECAN
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: D
GROWTH RATE: moderate
EXPOSURE: sun or part shade
TEXTURE: medium
FORM: irregular open branches
HEIGHT: 60-100'
SPREAD: 30-50'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: good shade tree for "edible" landscape
BOTANICAL NAME: Carya spp.
COMMON NAME: HICKORIES
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: D
GROWTH RATE: slow to moderate
EXPOSURE: sun
TEXTURE: medium
FORM: spreading crown
HEIGHT: 60-100'
SPREAD: 30-50'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: infrequently propagated in nurseries but grows
natively
BOTANICAL NAME: Catalpa bignonoides
COMMON NAME: SOUTHERN CATALPA
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: D
GROWTH RATE: rapid
EXPOSURE: sun
TEXTURE: coarse
FORM: thick trunk, crooked branches
HEIGHT: 30-50'
SPREAD: 20-25'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: long-lived untidy tree; interesting winter
habit; good habitat for fish bait
BOTANICAL NAME: Cedrus deodora
COMMON NAME: DEODAR CEDAR
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: E
GROWTH RATE: rapid
EXPOSURE: sun or part shade
TEXTURE: fine
FORM: pyramidal pendelous branches
HEIGHT: 30-50`
SPREAD: 20-30'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: excellent screen tree for Piedmont; good
substitute for white pines
BOTANICAL NAME: Cryptomeria japonica
COMMON NAME: JAPANESE CRYPTOMERIA
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: E
GROWTH RATE: medium
EXPOSURE: sun
TEXTURE: fine
FORM: narrow columnar
HEIGHT: 40-50'
SPREAD: 10-20'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: rich green foliage interesting bark
BOTANICAL NAME: Cunninghamia lanceolata
COMMON NAME: CHINAFIR
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: E
GROWTH RATE: moderate to slow
EXPOSURE: sun to shade
TEXTURE: medium
FORM: pyramidal
HEIGHT: 50-60'
SPREAD: 20-25'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: good green color during growing season; tends
to "brown out" inside as it matures
BOTANICAL NAME: x Cupressocyparis leylandi
COMMON NAME: LEYLAND CYPRESS
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: E
GROWTH RATE: rapid
EXPOSURE: sun
TEXTURE: medium
FORM: pyramidal
HEIGHT: 50-70'
SPREAD: 10-15'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: fast growing can be size controlled, several
varieties - excellent screening plant
BOTANICAL NAME: Diospyrus virginiana
COMMON NAME: PERSIMMON
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: D
GROWTH RATE: slow
EXPOSURE: sun
TEXTURE: coarse
FORM: slender irregular
HEIGHT: 40-50'
SPREAD: 20-30'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: very interesting bark-"edible landscape" plant
BOTANICAL NAME: Fagus grandiflora
COMMON NAME: BEECH
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: D
GROWTH RATE: slow
EXPOSURE: sun
TEXTURE: medium
FORM: dense-low spreading
HEIGHT: 60-80'
SPREAD: 40-60'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: large tree with very dense shade; foliage
often remainson tree in winter
BOTANICAL NAME: Fraxinus americana
COMMON NAME: WHITE ASH
HARDINESS ZONE: 6, 7
GROUP: D
GROWTH RATE: rapid
EXPOSURE: sun
TEXTURE: medium
FORM: broad rounded top
HEIGHT: 60-80'
SPREAD: 50-70'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: tolerates adverse conditions"Autumn Purple"
- good fall color
BOTANICAL NAME: Ginkgo biloba
COMMON NAME: MAIDENHAIR TREE
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: D
GROWTH RATE: slow
EXPOSURE: sun
TEXTURE: medium
FORM: pyramidal but later rounded
HEIGHT: 40-70'
SPREAD: 20-40'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: plant male species of tree - very interesting
shape of foliage; leaves fall rapidly in fall
BOTANICAL NAME: Gelditsia triacanthos
COMMON NAME: HONEYLOCUST
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: D
GROWTH RATE: moderate
EXPOSURE: sun
TEXTURE: fine- medium
FORM: upright, open with maturity
HEIGHT: 50-75'
SPREAD: 25-40'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: many thornless varieties available at
nurseries; excellent street tree
BOTANICAL NAME: Juniperus virginiana
COMMON NAME: EASTERN RED CEDAR
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: E
GROWTH RATE: moderate to rapid
EXPOSURE: sun
TEXTURE: fine
FORM: upright with spreading branches
HEIGHT: 30-40'
SPREAD: 10-20'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: native evergreen-good for evergreen screening
interesting bark
BOTANICAL NAME: Liquidambar styraciflua
COMMON NAME: SWEETGUM
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: D
GROWTH RATE: slow
EXPOSURE: sun or part shade
TEXTURE: medium
FORM: semi-conical
HEIGHT: 60-100'
SPREAD: 50-75
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: excellent landscape tree but in a natural
area; fruit is a litter problem in lawn areas
BOTANICAL NAME: Liriodendron tulipifera
COMMON NAME: TULIP TREE
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: D
GROWTH RATE: moderate to rapid
EXPOSURE: sun
TEXTURE: coarse
FORM: cylindrical head
HEIGHT: 60-150'
SPREAD: 30-40'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: fast growing shade tree, branches are brittle
BOTANICAL NAME: Magnolia grandiflora
COMMON NAME: SOUTHERN MAGNOLIA
HARDINESS ZONE: 7,8
GROUP: E
GROWTH RATE: moderate to rapid
EXPOSURE: sun or part shade
TEXTURE: coarse
FORM: symmetrical
HEIGHT: 40-60'
SPREAD: 25-30'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: should be planted where lower branches can grow
to ground
BOTANICAL NAME: Nyssa sylvatica
COMMON NAME: BLACK TUPELO-BLACK GUM
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: D
GROWTH RATE: moderate
EXPOSURE: sun or shade
TEXTURE: medium
FORM: open irregular width
HEIGHT: 40-60'
SPREAD: 20-30'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: spectacular red autumn color good native tree
for NC
BOTANICAL NAME: Paulownia tomentosa
COMMON NAME: EMPRESS TREE
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: D
GROWTH RATE: rapid
EXPOSURE: sun
TEXTURE: coarse
FORM: open crown, spreading branches
HEIGHT: 30-50'
SPREAD: 20-30'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: best used as accent tree
BOTANICAL NAME: Pinus palustris
COMMON NAME: LONGLEAF PINE
HARDINESS ZONE: 7,8
GROUP: E
GROWTH RATE: rapid
EXPOSURE: sun
TEXTURE: fine
FORM: open rounded top, ascending branches
HEIGHT: 80-100'
SPREAD: 25-40'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: susceptible to ice and storm damage
BOTANICAL NAME: Pinus strobus
COMMON NAME: WHITE PINE
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7
GROUP: E
GROWTH RATE: moderate
EXPOSURE: sun
TEXTURE: fine
FORM: pyramidal
HEIGHT: 80-100'
SPREAD: 30-40'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: good native tree for mountains, in lower
piedmont is marginal
BOTANICAL NAME: Pinus sylvestris
COMMON NAME: SCOTCH PINE
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: E
GROWTH RATE: rapid
EXPOSURE: sun
TEXTURE: medium but later becomes more open
FORM: pyramidal
HEIGHT: 40-70'
SPREAD: 15-30'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: good landscape form and color
BOTANICAL NAME: Pinus taeda
COMMON NAME: LOBLOLLY PINE
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: E
GROWTH RATE: rapid
EXPOSURE: sun to part shade
TEXTURE: fine
FORM: horizontal with ascending branches
HEIGHT: 70-90'
SPREAD: 30-40'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: good windbreak - tolerant of poor soils
BOTANICAL NAME: Pistacia chinensis
COMMON NAME: CHINESE PISTACHE
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: D
GROWTH RATE: rapid
EXPOSURE: sun
TEXTURE: fine
FORM: rounded
HEIGHT: 40-60'
SPREAD: 15-30'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: brilliant fall color
BOTANICAL NAME: Platanus occidentalis
COMMON NAME: SYCAMORE
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: D
GROWTH RATE:rapid
EXPOSURE: sun to part shade
TEXTURE: coarse
FORM: broad branches open head
HEIGHT: 70-100'
SPREAD: 60-80'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: good shade tree - leaves have a tendency to
drop all summer long
BOTANICAL NAME: Populus nigra
COMMON NAME: LOMBARDY POPLAR
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: D
GROWTH RATE: fast
EXPOSURE: sun
TEXTURE: medium
FORM: upright-narrow
HEIGHT: 40-70'
SPREAD: 10-12'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: fast growing-has many landscape problems -
short-lived
BOTANICAL NAME: Quercus alba
COMMON NAME: WHITE OAK
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: D
GROWTH RATE: slow
EXPOSURE: sun to part shade
TEXTURE: coarse medium
FORM: broad head, thick trunk
HEIGHT: 80-100'
SPREAD: 50-80
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: slow growing but excellent for any landscape
BOTANICAL NAME: Quercus coccinea
COMMON NAME: SCARLET OAK
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: D
GROWTH RATE: rapid
EXPOSURE: sun
TEXTURE: coarse medium
FORM: symmetrical round head
HEIGHT: 60-80'
SPREAD: 40-50
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: good fall color-fast growing oak
BOTANICAL NAME: Quercus nigra
COMMON NAME: WATER OAK
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: D
GROWTH RATE: rapid
EXPOSURE: sun to part shade
TEXTURE: medium
FORM: broad-oval round top
HEIGHT: 50-75'
SPREAD: 30-40
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: matures into large shade tree-yellowish fall
foliage
BOTANICAL NAME: Quercus palustris
COMMON NAME: PIN OAK
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: D
GROWTH RATE: rapid
EXPOSURE: sun to part shade
TEXTURE: medium
FORM: pyramidal low branches
HEIGHT: 60-80'
SPREAD: 40-50
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: holds leaves throughout winter
BOTANICAL NAME: Quercus phellos
COMMON NAME: WILLOW OAK
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: D
GROWTH RATE: moderate
EXPOSURE: sun
TEXTURE: fine
FORM: conical in youth, develops rounded crown
HEIGHT: 60-80
SPREAD: 40-50
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: often referred to as "Pin Oak" because of
narrow leaves -this is incorrect
BOTANICAL NAME: Quercus virginiana
COMMON NAME: LIVE OAK
HARDINESS ZONE: 7,8
GROUP: E
GROWTH RATE: slow
EXPOSURE: sun to part shade
TEXTURE: medium
FORM: wide spreading branches
HEIGHT: 30-50'
SPREAD: 50-80'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: excellent for coastal areas if protected from
salt spray
BOTANICAL NAME: Salix babylonica
COMMON NAME: WEEPING WILLOW
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: D
GROWTH RATE: rapid
EXPOSURE: sun to part shade
TEXTURE: fine
FORM: slender-pendulous branches
HEIGHT: 30-50'
SPREAD: 20-40'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: much landscape interest, avoid planting near
sewers, water lines, etc.
BOTANICAL NAME: Taxodium distichum
COMMON NAME: BALD CYPRESS
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: D
GROWTH RATE: slow
EXPOSURE: sun to part shade
TEXTURE: fine
FORM: pyramidal
HEIGHT: 50-100'
SPREAD: 20-30'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: good tree but not used very much-excellent
when planted near water
BOTANICAL NAME: Tilia americana
COMMON NAME: AMERICAN LINDEN
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: D
GROWTH RATE: rapid
EXPOSURE: sun to part shade
TEXTURE: medium
FORM: broad rounded crown
HEIGHT: 60-75'
SPREAD: 45-60
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: useful as shade tree in urban areas
BOTANICAL NAME: Tila cordata
COMMON NAME: LITTLELEAF LINDEN
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: D
GROWTH RATE: rapid
EXPOSURE: sun
TEXTURE: medium
FORM: pyramidal spreading branches
HEIGHT: 30-50'
SPREAD: 25-40'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: excellent street tree - transplants easily
BOTANICAL NAME: Tsuga canadensis
COMMON NAME: CANADIAN HEMLOCK
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7
GROUP: E
GROWTH RATE: rapid
EXPOSURE: shade to part shade
TEXTURE: fine
FORM: pyramidal
HEIGHT: 30-80'
SPREAD: 15-30'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: excellent screen and prunes well
BOTANICAL NAME: Tsuga caroliniana
COMMON NAME: CAROLINA HEMLOCK
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7
GROUP: E
GROWTH RATE: rapid
EXPOSURE: part shade
TEXTURE: Fine
FORM: pyramidal
HEIGHT: 30-70'
SPREAD: 20-25'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: creates good screen for shady areas
BOTANICAL NAME: Ulmus americana
COMMON NAME: AMERICAN ELM
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: D
GROWTH RATE: slow
EXPOSURE: sun
TEXTURE: medium
FORM: broad umbrella-like crown
HEIGHT: 75-125'
SPREAD: 60-120'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: beautiful growth habit but Dutch Elm disease
limits use
BOTANICAL NAME: Zelkova serrata
COMMON NAME: JAPANESE ZELKOVA
HARDINESS ZONE: 6,7,8
GROUP: D
GROWTH RATE: moderate to rapid
EXPOSURE: sun to part shade
TEXTURE: medium to fine
FORM: rounded head
HEIGHT: 50-60'
SPREAD: 40-50'
LANDSCAPE REMARKS: good shade tree and tolerant to urban
conditions